Here’s a clear side-by-side comparison of IAM (Identity and Access Management) vs PAM (Privileged Access Management) in simple language:
| Aspect | IAM (Identity & Access Management) | PAM (Privileged Access Management) |
|---|---|---|
| Who it manages | All users – employees, customers, contractors, partners | Special / high-risk users – admins, IT staff, service accounts with powerful rights |
| Purpose | Makes sure the right people can access the right resources (apps, files, systems) | Protects and controls powerful accounts that can change systems, access sensitive data, or manage security |
| Examples of accounts | Normal employee logins, customer logins, email accounts | Domain admin, root accounts, database admins, cloud admins |
| Main functions | Login (authentication), single sign-on, MFA, role-based access, password resets | Session monitoring, password vaulting, just-in-time access, approval workflows, recording privileged actions |
| Focus | Broad access for day-to-day work | Restricting and monitoring the most dangerous accounts |
| Analogy | Like handing out keys and badges to all workers so they can get into the office and their departments | Like guarding the master keys to the building, server room, and safe—only trusted staff can use them, and under close supervision |
| Risk if compromised | A normal account breach could expose some data or apps | A privileged account breach could let attackers take over the entire system/network |
👉 In short:
- IAM = Manages who can access what.
- PAM = Adds extra protection and oversight for the most powerful accounts.